Biodiversity and the Parasite-Driven Wedge

摘要: The parasite-stress theory of sociality includes a biodiversity: the parasite-driven-wedge model. Regionally localized coevolutionary races between parasites and their hosts result in three anti-parasite behaviors: preference for in-group affiliation interaction, out-group avoidance (xenophobia), philopatry. These behaviors behavioral immunity become linked within individuals through genetic linkage disequilibrium. In case human cultural immunity, within-individual traits results what we refer to as Linkage by either process also with local parasites. are mutually reinforcing that any one increases frequency due its adaptiveness, others do well. Also, members behavioral-immunity values behavior is self-reinforcing, because preferred favored have same preference. events create wedge gives rise intergroup boundaries effectively fractionate, locally isolate, diversify original range culture or species, leading genesis two more discrete groups from one. higher parasite stress region, greater intensity these processes biodiversity genesis. model, then, provides parapatric (side-by-side) diversification mechanism propose accounts high diversity species cultures geographical regions adversity. Parasite-driven divergence may lead sympatric speciation, especially at low latitudes, account distinct classes caste social systems.